42 Easy Ways to Decorate w/o a Party Theme

42 Easy Ways to Decorate w/o a Party Theme

How to host a fabulous party for your kids OR adults without a particular theme. These 42 party ideas are super creative and include cakes, party decorations, free printables, backdrops and even fun ways to document your party with photos. I've got your back with everything you need {and more} for a birthday bash, farewell party or even graduation party! These party ideas are wonderful for someone who wants a polished looking party but doesn't want to be locked into a party theme.

Tip Junkie Party has over 2,000 party ideas all with pictured tutorials to learn or how to make. You can always search there if you're looking for more Party tutorials with step-by-step instructions. {wink}

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Birthday Party Decoration Ideas

1. How to Repurpose Party Supplies {party decor} ~ Do you have leftover party supplies that you're not sure what to do with? This post shows you 5 fabulous DIY projects to repurpose those leftovers. A snipit of some of the ideas are streamers turned confetti, cupcake liners turned drink stirrers and paper napkins turned cake toppers.

2. Folding Chair Makeover {party decor} ~ No need to have stained, scratched and ugly folding chairs at your next soiree. Make them over with fresh spray paint and fabric. It's such an easy and inexpensive way to revive old chairs. Everyone will think you bought new trendy chairs for the party.

3. DIY Felt Pom Flowers ~These fun and festive felt pom flowers are the perfect addition to any event. Change the color of the felt to coordinate with your party scheme. Minimal supplies are needed, felt cut in circles, needle and thread, twine, and scissors. Follow the tutorial to easily make your own pom flowers.

4. DIY Fringey Monogram ~ These lovely fringey monograms are ideal for any type of celebration. You could use letters or numbers. The idea was based on the fringey streamers. Layer and glue them to your template starting from the bottom on up. Wouldn't these also look amazing in an ombre pattern?!

5. Fringe Chandelier DIY ~ This is a fabulous post with a great tutorial on how to make a fringe chandelier! Perfect for lots of different party occasions! Just by changing the colors you could use it for a girl or boy, child or adult! Lovely and easy to make!

6. DIY Ribbon Mobile {party decor} ~ Make any special occasion spectacular with this gorgeous ribbon mobile! It would definitely make a statement. You'll love how easily you can make it too. All you need is ribbon or crepe paper, glue and an embroidery hoop. Its so cute, you could hang it up in your home after the party. {wink}

7. Ruffled Crepe Paper Streamers ~ Dana created these gorgeous ruffled streamers to celebrate Cinco de Mayo using inexpensive crepe paper streamers in bright colors. Change up the colors and this great tutorial can turn your boring party streamers into a fabulous decoration for any party.

9. Mini Marquee Sign {party decor} ~ Real vintage letters are few and far between, but with the help of this tutorial you can make your own! Make them mini or large. And, if you don't want to spell out an entire word you can just make the first letter of a word.

Garlands & Banners

10. DIY Yarn Bow Garland {party decor} ~ This yarn bow garland is absolutely adorable! They are the beginning of a pom pom. Loop it around your fingers and tie it off in the center with yarn. It's that simple!

11. Cupcake Wrapper Garland {Birthday Decorations} ~ This cupcake wrapper garland is absolutely darling! You can make your own by simply stringing together a variety of regular and mini cupcake liners, coffee filters, and small doilies. Not only would this be perfect for a baking party, but would really work for any theme.

13. Dyed Brown Paper Bag Garland ~ Here is a great tutorial on how to create a unique banner. Using brown paper bags and dye you'll create a lovely banner perfect for a grown up birthday party or even a little girl's party!

14. Crepe Paper Garland ~ A stunning and affordable way to make a chic garland for your next party. All you need is two hands, a half an hour and some coordinating crepe paper. Change up the colors to coordinate with your themed event and this great tutorial can turn your boring party streamers into a fabulous decoration perfect for any type of party.

15. DIY Paper Cup Garland {birthday decorations} ~ Inexpensive paper cups pull double duty, and neither of them being drinking punch. Use the cups to create a colorful garland to decorate your party. To add a punch of pizzazz you can trim the seams with tissue fringe or washi tape.

16. Baking Cup Backdrop {how-to} ~ Looking for a fun and easy diy backdrop idea? Here is an adorable baking cup one thats perfect for any party. All you need is foil baking cups or regular ones, paper and glue. This tutorial is shown in foil which is shimmery and colorful. How fun would this be for an under the sea party?

17. DIY Triangle Fringe Garland ~ Decorate any type of party or gathering with this cute and creative triangle fringe garland! You can make them in a cinch using tissue paper, ribbon, rotary cutter and a hot glue gun. With the leftover tissue paper you can quickly make confetti to sprinkle on the tables.

18. Tassel Garlands ~ These tassel garlands are a great decoration for your New Years Celebration, especially with fun metallic, shiny colors. Instead of forking out big money to purchase them, this tutorial will show you how to make your own.

Backdrop Ideas

19. Balloon and Streaming Food Table Backdrop~ This post features an DIY food table backdrop! Using balloons and crape paper streamers you'll be able to create a lovely way to help decorate your food table! Depending on the colors you choose it could be perfect for almost any type of party, for almost any ages.

20. Paper Chain Backdrop ~ It's back to basics with this simple paper chain backdrop. All you need is strips of plain colored paper and a stapler. Make a garland or put several together to make a backdrop.

21. DIY Streamer Backdrop ~ Backdrops have become a staple in parties these days. They are perfect for dessert tables and photo booths. This geometric crepe paper streamer backdrop is not only inexpensive, but also adorable! Using just crepe paper streamers, scissors, and glue you can begin your backdrop.

22. DIY String Balloon Decorations ~ These balloons are guaranteed not to pop at your party and don't require any helium. String balloons are created much in the same way you would create paper mache balloons, but with bright colorful yarn instead of strips of old newspaper. A couple fun colors to match your party theme and you have a unique backdrop for your food or dessert table.

23. Ribbon Backdrop ~ This lovely ribbon backdrop would make the perfect addition to any female inspired party! It is super easy and won't break the bank. You can create any length and width you desire with your ribbons. Did I mention that you can get all of your supplies at your local craft store?!

24. Chalkboard Dessert Table {backdrop ideas} ~ Instead of the standard paper food signs you can make your dessert or food table that much sweeter with this fun chalkboard backdrop. You can doodle fun pictures and food signs on it. This idea can be incorporated into just about any type of party.

25. Paper Fan Party Decorations ~ Paper Decorations are always the most inexpensive way to decorate for a party. If you are looking for a great way to decorate a party with paper decorations, the paper fans pictured in this party will be all the inspiration you need. If you need a little refresher on how to make a paper fan, you can check out the paper fan tutorial over at Blue Cricket Design. You can see a tutorial on how to make paper fans over at Blue Cricket Designs.

Cakes

26. Chalkboard Birthday Cake ~ The ultimate cake for any age or celebration because you can write anything on the cake! {{wink}} Made with box cake mix and black fondant.

28. Birthday Cake Popcorn ~ Isnt this a fun and fabulous birthday cake alternative? Guess what, cake mix is used in the recipe. You can still have your cake and eat it too!

29. How to Make a Donut Birthday Cake {Cake Ideas} ~ Stack your favorite palm-sized treats for a fun birthday cake alternative! You can dress the donuts up by drizzling on colorful glaze and fun sprinkles. And, of course, dont forget to add some adorable flags and candles!

31. Giant Brownie Cake Pop Cake ~ This post literally made me laugh out loud. With cake pops and brownie pops being all the rage right now, who wouldnt want a cake-sized cake pop?! With an actual dowel for a stick, that is one big bite-sized dessert {haha}.

32. Skittles Happy Birthday Cake ~ This is a fabulous tutorial that shows you how to turn a plain grocery store bought cake into a beautiful masterpiece. And, it's a piece of cake. (I couldn't resist!) The tutorial shows you how to decorate the cake with skittles as well as how to make the cake bunting using ribbon.

Table & Centerpiece Ideas

33. Paper Bag Lanterns ~ These paper lanterns are a perfect paper craft for party decorations! This is a great way to add color to a room or a party table. Make a bunch and string them together as a garland, or line a pathway with them.

34. Ruffled Party Table Runner ~ This ruffled party table runner is absolutely fabulous! You can make one for around $2 by using two plastic tablecloths. How fantastic is that?! Inexpensive and it only takes about 20 minutes. Use your sewing machine to sew a straight stitch, pull the thread to gather it, and glue the ruffle to the runner.

35. DIY Bunting Tablecloth ~ Time to get your craft on with this cute, fun and cheap bunting tablecloth! The best part about this craft is that it will last forever. You don't even have to buy a stencil for this. Masking tape in the shape of triangles is your template. Sponge on your fabric paint. Let it dry overnight. Voila!

36. Dyed Ruffle Ombre Tablecloth ~ Inexpensive muslin and RIT dye was used to create this fabulous tablecloth. Perfect for your next party or dinner!

Printables

37. Happy Birthday Chalkboard Printable ~ These adorable birthday chalkboard printables would make fantastic party decorations! There are four different printables to choose from. Simply download, print and frame for some fun and festive party decor.

38. Birthday Subway Art ~ Here is a snazzy birthday subway art printable you can frame and display at your birthday party. Or you could shrink it down and it would make a really cute birthday card as well. There are two color options you can choose from.

39. Free Printable Cake Topper {birthday cake} ~ Top your favorite cake, pie or cupcakes with this adorable banner cake topper. Easy and inexpensive to make with this free download! You can customize the banner with the birthday boy/girl's name.

42. Red and Blue Chevron Party Printables ~ This chevron party kit has everything you need for a festive party. It includes invitations, cupcake toppers, thank you tags, place cards, gift bags and a banner! This is a good one to keep on-hand in a pinch. The colors could work for a boy or girl.

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